Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Cuomo: Make NY buy American

Lindsey Riback, Albany Bureau
Published 4:02 p.m. ET Jan. 11, 2017

Gov. Andrew Cuomo(Photo: Tania Savayan/The Journal News)

ALBANY - All state entities would be required to give preference to American-made products under a new proposal announced Wednesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo's plan would require state agencies and authorities to buy domestic products or services with any state contract valued at more than $100,000, with certain exceptions.

The governor unveiled his proposal at a State of the State address in Syracuse Wednesday.

“When we buy American, we not only keep our companies and our employees where they belong, but we foster growth and development in leading industries right here at home,” Cuomo said in a statement.

The proposal would bolster the state's current laws on procurement of goods and services, which do little to require the state purchase domestic-made products.

According to Cuomo's office, the state's current domestic purchasing requirements apply to major steel purchases on construction contracts worth $100,000 or more.

The new proposal, which would require lawmakers' approval, will expand the “Buy American” plan to contracts for goods.

To qualify as American-made, the product’s end manufacturing processes should take place within the United States and more than 60 percent of its components would have to be made domestically.

There are exceptions to Cuomo's proposal, however.

State entities could buy international products if the amount of a certain good isn't available from domestic manufacturers or within the state's timeframe.

They could also make an exception to the proposed rule if purchasing American-made products would significantly increase the cost of the contract, according to Cuomo's office.

Cuomo's proposal is similar to a bill introduced three years ago by Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, Monroe County, who applauded Cuomo for supporting it.

"In New York, we must work to enact commonsense procurement measures that will protect hardworking taxpayers, American workers, and ensure our long-term economic stability," Morelle said in a statement.